Recent Match Report – England vs India 4th Test 2020/21

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Join us for updates, analysis and colour from the third day of the fourth Test

Welcome to day two of our live report of the fourth India-England Test from Ahmedabad. Join us for updates, analysis and colour. You can find our traditional ball-by-ball commentary here

*Most recent entry will appear at the top, please refresh your page for the latest updates. All times are local

10.05am: A trip to the Leftorium

Just a couple of overs for Bess before he gets hooked, Joe Root seeking more control from his SLA Jack Leach… who is promptly whacked for two fours by Patel, a decent batsman who has a first-class hundred. Root’s problem here is that, while Leach has had a good series and is clearly the superior spinner, he averages 54.72 against left-hand batsmen in Tests, compared to 24.35 against righties. Bess averages 29.25 against southpaws (36.33 against right) – but can barely be trusted to land it right now.

So there’s your answer, boss.

9.45am: Sundar rising

England have started off with James Anderson and Dom Bess – a move perhaps designed to try and give their offspinner some confidence, with two left-hand bats at the crease in the shape of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. But while Anderson started with back-to-back maidens, Bess conceded three boundaries in his first eight balls. A straight six from Sundar took India’s lead into three figures, before he threaded the gap through cover with an even-better shot.

The pitch, meanwhile, looks to be holding together nicely; tidy little footmarks, few obvious signs of disintegration and it’s playing well enough for the Nos. 8 and 9. Whether that’ll be the case when England come to bat remains to be seen.

9.35am: Should’ve Seen It Coming Dept

More Pant bantz. Fast bowlers beware…

9.15am: Pant-emonium

3:20

#AskMatchDay: Is Pant's reverse lap the most extraordinary shot in Test cricket?

#AskMatchDay: Is Pant’s reverse lap the most extraordinary shot in Test cricket?

Well, that was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? Unless you’re an England bowler, perhaps. Rishabh Pant turned the game on its head with an extraordinary innings on day two, and he has put India in control of the Test. It’s not over yet, of course, but England have to get their heads back on if it’s not to be the defining contribution. Given their recent batting efforts, a 100-run deficit will loom large… but if we’ve learnt anything from India’s pocket rocket wicketkeeper, it’s that moments are there to be seized. Let’s go.

Alan Gardner is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick